Probably like a lot of you, I’m becoming more and more aware of the effects of textiles on the environment. I was saddened recently when I learned that only about 30 percent of clothing donated to thrift stores is resold, the rest finding its way into landfills. I’ve been reading about sustainable fibers and natural fibers and how fashion designers are embracing them in their collections. Then just recently, I read that a well-run herd of sheep improves the land on which it grazes. The sheep’s split hooves break up the soil, aerating it and making it easier for plants to grow. I started weighing ideas and worries and decided it was time for a wool and wool blends issue. This allows us as weavers to celebrate the very animals that can improve a pasture, highlight a fiber that is biodegradable, and promote designs using a fiber that is beautiful whether part of a high fashion ensemble or a simple scarf.
Here is the official issue theme:
January/February 2023: Wools and Wool Blends
Weavers love wool for many reasons: it’s warm, it takes dye beautifully but also comes in many natural colors, and last but surely not least, it’s forgiving on the loom, making it a great fiber for beginners. Wool blends have many of the same characteristics but also a few of their own. Send us proposals for projects that use wools or wool blends and articles about wool.
Check out the palette for the issue here.
Please note that we have changed our submission process and are also using a new submission form. We base our project selections for each issue on contributor photographs. We will review the proposals and ask for additional photographs if needed, to be sent in by the end of March 2022 for this issue. After the project-selection meeting, we will contact everyone whose project is accepted and ask that it be submitted along with the project paperwork.
Proposals for projects and articles due: 03/07/2022
Submissions in the form of photographs and article outlines due: 04/25/2022
Final submissions, including projects and paperwork, due: 06/06/22
If you would like to get a head start on the paperwork, look here to choose the one that fits your project.
Please use our Handwoven submission form for proposals. Submission guidelines can be found here.
Please use the email address below for inquiries that won’t fit into our submission form. Please contact us and ask for a physical address to send any pieces of your proposal that cannot be emailed.
Editorial email
[email protected]
Weave well,
Susan